BikerDi

I feel your pain, I'm a 1987 Diploma grad who finally earned my BSN in 2012. However, anyone who didn't know the BSN requirement was soon going to become mandatory has been living with denial. They have been trying to make this happen since 1985. Between the IOM and Magnet programs it is real

I am a Diploma Nurse from Jewish Hospital School of Nursing. I am extremely proud! I received an excellent academic education with college courses taken at University of Missouri-St Louis and nursing courses at the nursing school. I had incredible hands on experience. By the time I graduated, I could drop an NG or float a Swan! I was proficient at starting peripheral IV and drawing blood. I also learned tons about theory, but practiced reality! Thank goodness. I was organized, my "Contemporary Nursing" rotation meant you worked 8 hour shifts and took care of a full assignment, usually 5 or 6 patients on days. When I graduated and worked nights, I was the only RN with a LPN and NA for 28 patients on a gen surg floor. I was a Charge Nurse before I actually got my board results back. I have thought about getting my BSN, but don't think I ever will now. I am an Informatics Nurse now and getting my BSN with my years of experience and years at the same hospital would not mean squat. So, it would be a personal accomplishment and to get those 3 letters behind my name doesn't mean squat to me. The only thing that irritates me is that I cannot get certified in informatics because you need a BSN. When I worked Critical Care I did have my CCRN and I was proud of that, and still am. For years now I have worked with more educated nurses and the truth is...education doesn't make the nurse. It is who that person is - that makes the nurse!

Don't feel discriminated against. My hospital and all the other hospitals in my area are spending so much money for orientation of new staff and then when they leave before 2 years they are making the employee/former employee reimburse the hospital. I have worked there for 16 years, but can tell you that it is hard also for the seasoned staff to continue to have new staff. It is like a revolving door. For instance, our unit has lost all of the staff that were hired 3 years ago. I understand how you feel too. Because they won't want to spead more money on you, but you can pay for the TNCC yourself if you really want to take it. That is what I would do. Just get as much experience as you can, it will only make you a better nurse. Enjoy your opportunities where you find them!

While I was in Nursing School, my best friend, also a nursing student committed suicide. I am now 52 years old and can honestly say that this was the worse thing that I have experienced in my life thus far. There is of course guilt, anger and incredible sadness. I had no idea that my heart could feel such hurt, it actually felt like it had broken in two. Trying to understand the why was impossible. I remember feeling numb and detached from reality. I really just wanted to wake up and have it all be a bad dream. Our nursing school had a memorial for her and I spoke at it, my family begged me not to speak, they didn't think I could or should do it. I found it healing and I think it helped me really say good-bye. Even today, I cannot fathom what could have been so bad that this was the ultimate answer. I still miss Jeanine, but we will not grow old together the way we talked about. My family and friends tried to avoid talking about her or bringing up the suicide. I think that talking about her and what happened helped me come to terms with her suicide. Writing poetry has also helped me. I still pray for her, her family and myself. Be there for your friend, don't try to avoid talking about him or her. Encourage her to grieve because that is the natural and healthy thing to do. Help her to move forward and to do something for herself, new haircut, clothes or anything to pamper herself because she really does deserve it. BikerDi

After 20+ years of nursing as a Diploma RN and my experience being Med-Surg, SICU, Trauma, Transplant and Informatics - I am not going back to school to get a BSN. It just doesn't make sense for me to do this at this time in my life, it would not mean any more money, or higher career ladder. I wanted to go to a Diploma program because it offered me what I needed. At the time the BSN programs were few in my area and I didn't want to go to ADN. I was a non-traditional student, married, 2 children and working part time. I worked first as a Unit Secretary and then later as a Student Tech NA. While in school served as an officer of our Student Nurse Association and was active in the national and state associations. I continue to be active at the national, state and local levels of the nursing associations. I continue to go to conferences not only as an attendee but also as a presenter. I have advanced in my career every time I made a change. The bottom line... Every licensed RN took the same NCLEX exam. Does that make everyone equal? Yes, as entry level Registered Nurses. What you do after that is dependent upon your knowledge and skill and knowing how to apply it. Sometimes education might play a part and sometimes it doesn't. Until the Peter Principle comes into play...this I have seen quite a bit unfortunately. I love being a nurse and am thankful that I have had this opportunity in my lifetime.